World Bioenergy 2x larger than World Nuclear
source followed by hydropower and to a smaller extent wind power,
geothermal energy and solar energy. Renewable energy in general and
bioenergy in particular also have great potentials of increased
utilization.
According to a position paper from the World Bioenergy
Association the potential for bioenergy utilization worldwide in
2050 is estimated to 20-30 times the current use.
The energy supply still depends on the fossil fuels with 33%
oil, 27% coal and peat and 21% natural gas. Another non-renewable
energy source is nuclear energy, which represents almost 6%.
Renewable energy corresponds to 13% of global energy supply and
consists of 10% bioenergy, 2% hydropower and 1% wind, solar and
geothermal energy.
target=”_blank” title=”World total primar energy supply 2008”>
Based on: International Energy Agency, Key World Energy
Statistics 2010. Download a larger picture by clicking on the
diagram.
The total world energy supply has increased by 40% from 1990
to 2008, with a relatively constant share of fossil energy at
around 80%. The share of coal however has increased significantly
the last decade.
In order to address the problems arising from global warming, a
large scale reduction in the supply and use of fossil fuels is
critical. Wide varieties of renewable energy sources, as well as a
more efficient use of energy both need to be adopted all over the
world.
A large share of the coal based electricity production can
potentially be converted into biomass based electricity production.
Combined heat and power plants (CHP) that use surplus heat from the
electricity production to heat buildings or whole cities is one way
of minimizing energy losses and thereby using the energy
efficiently. Biomass based CHP is successfully adopted in many
cities in the Nordic countries.
For the first time since 1982 the global demand for energy
actually decreased in 2009, especially significant within the OECD
countries. Oil demand is estimated to have decreased by 3 %
compared to 2008. Coal demand decreased heavily in Europe and North
America, but increased globally with around 2 % mainly due to a
large increase in China.
target=”_blank” title=”Total World Energy Supply 1990-2008”>
Based on: IEA Energy Balances of non-OECD countries 2010 and
BP Statistical Review of World Energy, 2010. Download a larger
picture by clicking on the diagram.
The supply and use of renewable energy (bioenergy, hydropower,
wind, solar, geothermal) is increasing, and need to increase
strongly in the near future, in order to replace the non-renewable
energy sources used today. Since 1990 the worldwide supply of
renewable energy has increased by 42% from around 13.000 to almost
18.500 TWh (1 TWh = 1 billion kWh), and now represent 13% of the
total worldwide supply of energy.
Asia is the dominant supplier of renewable energy, followed by
Africa and North America. The largest increase however is seen in
the EU, where renewable energy has more than doubled since 1990.
Both Africa and Latin America have increased their supply of
renewable energy by more than 50%.
target=”_blank” title=”Global supply of renewable energy”>
Based on: IEA Energy Balances of non-OECD countries 2010 and
BP Statistical Review of World Energy, 2010. Download a larger
picture by clicking on the diagram
